Hip-hop artist and actor DMX pleaded not guilty to 14 counts of tax evasion Friday in New York City federal court and was freed after posting $500,000 bail.

The rapper—whose real name is Earl Simmons—had a hit with “X Gon' Give It to Ya'” in 2003, but he didn't give anything to Uncle Sam at that time, hasn't since and now owes at least $1.7 million, according to the IRS.

Simmons, 39, of Yonkers, turned himself in Thursday after being informed of the federal indictment. If convicted on all counts, he could receive a maximum sentence of 44 years in prison. Simmons was freed just before noon Friday, according to his attorney Murray Richman, and is due in court again Monday for a scheduling hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew J. Peck.